I usually ask for the name and address of the firm, saying that I need it so that I can file a complaint as we are on the do not call list. They always hang up quickly. Unfortunately, the laws around the do not call act are toothless, and the telemarketers have discovered that there is no risk to them for violating it.

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Unhappy thoughts are easy, they get into negative feedback cycles. Happy thoughts take effort.

Anyone getting cell phone calls? I have gotten 3, claiming to be calling from AT&T. Can't hardly understand what they say, something about $200, then I hang up. The funny part of it is, they are 800 numbers but the rest of the numbers were different on all three. I know of at least 2 other people who have received these on their cell phones. I'd like to know who to report them to at AT&T.

Bets

Edited by flutist (04/04/1402:16 PM)

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Corgis fill your life with Joy, your heart with Love, and your soul with Sunshine.

Interesting Bets. I keep my cell turned off. I only carry it for emergencies. Every time I turn it on, I get a 'message' which I listen to (costs me minutes to do) and it turns out that the messages are from somewhere that wants ME to call THEM. Looked up the number and it is to a PRISON! Oh clever people. AND the per minute charges are horrendous. Something about an automatic reverse charge call no matter how you do it. Evil plan. I never called thank goodness but they sure make it sound important. It says something about "You are being sued, if you fail to call us back immediately, you will be arrested, etc."

I need to charge the phone today, so I'll see if one says anything about AT&T. Might be the carrier they are using for this scam.

There are other sayings other than recently born. Like, just fell off the cabbage truck, wasn't born yesterday, and a few others which are hiding in my mangled gray cells.

I have received a few cell phone calls from numbers I didn't recognize. I don't carry my cell phone with me when I'm home, so by the time I get to my cell phone the call has ended. If there's an associated area code I'll get out the phone book to see which State the call originated, to give me a better idea if the call is from family. So far none have been from family, and they are immediately deleted.

I remember another phone call which the caller asked for my wife. This one of those times when I asked what it was in reference to, and received a reply that it was for my wife. "Not born yesterday" I asked again and received the same reply. So, I told the lady not interested and hung up. I'm like many of you, if the first words out of the callers' mouth sounds like they're about to try and sell me something, "not interested" and hang up.

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If something gets your goat, it just proves you have a goat to get.

Yup, Homer. Saturday I took a call for my EX who hasn't lived here since 2000. Gal asked for him so I just quickly said, 'can I take a message?'. I figured maybe it was something important or someone from his past who didn't know about the divorce. So she asked if I was 'Mrs...' and I answered sure. So it turned out to be a place that wanted to UPdate our Living Trust. Hummmm. WE never had a living trust. I guess he does. Ha. I took her number and said I would give him the message. Turns out to be a reputable place, phone checks out and it's a legal business, local, that he must have done something with without telling me. Interesting to say the least. Sometimes it pays to play along if you have the time. Usually I don't have the time or temperament.

We had a call late this afternoon, an 800 number, which my wife was going to let the answering machine answer. Because I've about reached my limit on 800 numbers, I picked up the phone and it was a guy from the company who provides my wifes' RA medication. This is one of those times it was good to answer the phone instead of ignoring it. And had it been another one of those 800 can we sell you something, they would've been told to put our number on their do not call list and I'd have hung up.

It seems to me companies like the one which handles my wifes' medications should make sure their caller ID states the company name. Not their 800 number, which doesn't mean a thing to me. To me, 800 numbers mean calling center.

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If something gets your goat, it just proves you have a goat to get.

I know some people have their caller ID set so the person they're calling can't see the callers' name, which in a way is fine. But if it's a company/corporation/business, why wouldn't they be proud to announce who they are? It might help alleviate many missed calls.

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If something gets your goat, it just proves you have a goat to get.

Some sneaky companies change their 'names' on the called ID so you don't recognize them. A 'home improvement' group (legit) comes up with several different names when I see them. They also use different numbers, but they all come back to the same address. Aggressive guys. Been after me for 4 years.

AND worse yet, Scam on my tenant's. Little mom stopped me today and said someone called about windows. Dunno if they were the 'microsoft virus' stuff or real windows. She told them she was a renter and they asked her HOW MUCH she paid each month! Thank goodness she didn't tell them anything, but she was concerned. I told her to just hang up next time. BUT then she told me her son (58) is sending money about twice a month to the 'Policeman's Fund'! OUR Fire and Police never call for money. This is a total scam and he is thinking he's helping someone. He's unemployed, barely making it and he's being scammed. I must talk to him in person. Mom probably won't explain it correctly. We have TV warnings about the Police and Fire, etc. not soliciting by phone and to beware if you get a call. He must have missed the announcements. Sigh.

Homer, I do have a couple acquaintances that call and have their name and number blocked. They quickly found out if they want to speak to me you will have to show who you are. Never understood why they do that especially since I have their number.

I know some people have their caller ID set so the person they're calling can't see the callers' name, which in a way is fine. But if it's a company/corporation/business, why wouldn't they be proud to announce who they are? It might help alleviate many missed calls.

I use a facility available from my phone company (for a small cost) which "tells" anyone who calls without showing their number that their call won't be put through until they do.